Container and drinking tube

ABSTRACT

In combination, a beverage container and drinking tube and means to present the tube for use upon opening the container wherein a drinking tube for use with a beverage container having a tear-out strip in the lid thereof is an elongate tubular member having a length at least equal to an interior diagonal dimension of the container and an upper end portion thereof engaged by a positioning member mounted on the tear-out strip which guides the upper end portion through an opening in the lid formed by removal of the tear-out strip. A float member is mounted on the tubular member for raising the upper end thereof through the opening in the lid formed by removing the tear-out strip.

United States Patent Brinkley, III

[54] CONTAINER'AND DRINKING TUBE [15] 3,656,654 [451 Apr. 18, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,445,639 6/1966 France ..2l5/l A Primary Examiner-Raphael N. Schwartz Attorney-Fishburn, Gold and Litman [57] ABSTRACT In combination, a beverage container and drinking tube and means to present the tube for use upon opening the container wherein a drinking tube for use with a beverage container having a tear-out strip in the lid thereof is an elongate tubular member having a length at least equal to an interior diagonal dimension of the container and an upper end portion thereof engaged by a positioning member mounted on the tear-out strip which guides the upper end portion through an opening in the lid formed by removal of the tear-out strip. A float member is mounted on the tubular member for raising the upper end thereof through the opening in the lid fonned by removing the tear-out strip.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures CONTAINER AND DRINKING TUBE The present invention generally relates to beverage containers and drinking tubes associated therewith and more particularly to a beverage container having a tear-out strip in the lid thereof and means for guiding a drinking tube upwardly through the opening formed by removing the tear-out strip.

The principal objects of the present invention are: to provide a drinking tube for use in a beverage container having a tear-out strip in the lid thereof wherein an upper end portion of the drinking tube will extend upwardly above the lid of the container for access thereto so that the liquid contents of the container may be consumed through the drinking tube in a conventional siphoning manner; to provide such a drinking tube and beverage container having positioning means on the tear-out strip so that the upper end portion of the drinking tube will be moved outwardly through the opening defined by the tear-out strip when same is removed thereby providing an effective means for gaining access to the contents of the container; to provide such a container and drinking tube wherein the tube has a float mounted thereon for raising the upper end thereof through the opening in the lid formed by removing the tear-out strip; to provide such a container and drinking tube wherein the float has grooves therein to engage opposite surfaces of the lid of the container adjacent the opening formed by removal of the tear-out strip thereby holding the tubular member in a drinking position; to provide such a container and drinking tube wherein a catch member is secured within the container for holding a lower end of the drinking tube adjacent a bottom and side of the container wherein the float urges the upper end portion thereof through the opening in the lid formed by removing the tearout strip; and to provide such a container and drinking tube which is economical to manufacture, simple in construction, easy to use, and particu larly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

FIG. I is a perspective view of a combination drinking tube and beverage containerembodying features of the present invention with the drinking tube shown in a drinking-position.

FIG. .2 is a sectional view showing'the drinking tube enclosed within the beverage container prior to opening same.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an altemate location of a positioning member for guiding the drinking tube through an opening in the container lid formed by removing a tear-out strip therein.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a modified form of the positioning member. 1

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a modified float and showing a catch member secured within the container for holding a lower end of the drinking tube adjacent bottom and side surfaces of the container.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing facing surfaces of a groove in the modified float frictionally engaging opposite surfaces of the container lid for holding the drinking tube in a drinking position.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified drinking tube having a lid engaging member thereon.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The reference numeral 1 generally designates a drinking tube for use with a beverage container 2 having a removable portion or tear-out strip 3 in a lid 4 of the container 2. Positioning means 5 are mounted on a lower surface of the tearout strip 3 and engage an upper end portion 6 of the drinking tube 1 to guide same through an opening 7 in the lid 4 formed by removing the tear-out strip 3. A float 8 is mounted on the drinking tube 1 for raising the upper end portion 6 thereof through the opening 7 in the lid 4 formed by removing the tear-out strip 3. g I

The beverage container 2 is preferably formed of a suitable metal, such as aluminum and has a peripheral side wall 9 of generally cylindrical construction together with a bottom wall 10 suitably connected thereto to form a sealing structure which is conventional in the metal can industry. The upper end of the peripheral wall 9 is closed by the top wall or lid 4 which is also sealed to the upper edge of the wall 9 by a suitable sealing structure.

The removable portion or tear-out strip 3 is an integral part of the lid 4, however, the tear-out strip 3 is separable therefrom along a scored line through the major portion of the thickness of the lid 4. The tear-out strip 3 and its association with the lid 4 may be conventional and is currently commercially available.

In the illustrated structure, the shape of the opening 7 and the removable portion or tear-out strip 3 defining same generally includes a diametrically extended outer portion which terminates generally at the center of the lid 4 and may be considered a proximal end portion 11 of the tear-out strip 3 while a distal end 12 of the tear-out strip 3 is oriented adjacent the sealing rim between the lid 4 and the peripheral wall 9 and the distal end 12 is of a greater lateral dimension than the proximal end portion 11 of the tear-out strip 3.

In the illustrated structure, the positioning means 5 is a rod mounted on and extending from a lower surface of the distal end 12 of the tear-out strip 3 and the rod is received within the upper end portion 6'of the drinking tube 1. The positioning rod 5 is adjacent the side wall 9 and is directed downwardly toward the bottom wall. The positioning rod 5 is mounted on a lower surface of the distal end 12 of the tear-out strip 3 and extends substantially normal or perpendicular thereto.

The drinking tube 1 is an elongate tubular member which is flexible and has a length at least equal to an interior diagonal dimension of the beverage container 2 with the upper end portion 6 being adjacent the lid 4 and the peripheral side wall 9 and a lower end portion 13 of the drinking tube 1 being positioned adjacent the intersection of the bottom wall 10 and the peripheral side wall 9 at the opposite side of the container 2 whereby upper end portion 6 of the drinking tube 1 extends downwardly substantially parallel with and adjacent the side wall-9 and the lower end portion 13 extends diagonally toward the intersection of the side and bottom walls 9 and 10 at a side of the container 2 opposite the positioning rod 5.

' The float 8 is sleeved on the drinking tube 1 preferably on the lower end portion 13 and is preferably in tubular form to be slipped over the drinking tube 1 and the float 8 fits sufficiently tight thereon to cause it to remain in any position to which it may be moved along the drinking tube 1. The sleeved float 8 is preferably made of tubular plastic or similar buoyant material which will not corrode, discolor, or otherwise injure the contents of the beverage container 2 and thus change the taste of the liquid therein. The sanitary character of the drinking tube 1 is not detracted from or injuriously affected in any way and the float 8 is a buoying device which can be applied to the drinking tube 1 without materially increasing its cost and will permit the drinking tube 1 to be contained within the container 2 when the latter is filled and sealed.

The float 8 preferably has an exterior dimension which is larger than the opening 7 formed in the lid 4 of the beverage container 2 by the removal of the distal end 12 of the tear-out strip 3 whereby the float 8 and a portion of the drinking tube 1 will remain within the beverage container 2.

When it is desired to consume the contents of the beverage container 2, the tear-out strip 3 is removed from the lid 4 in a conventional manner, as by lifting a tab 14 secured thereto, whereby the rod 5 raises the upper end portion 6 of the drinking tube 1 when the distal end 12 of the tear-out strip 3 is removed from the lid 4 and the rod 5 guides the drinking tube 1 through the opening 7 formed therein. The float 8 then urges the upper end portion 6 through the opening 7 in the lid 4 formed by removing the tear-out strip 3 whereby the upper end portion 6 is above the lid 4 for easy access thereto. The lower end portion 13 is moved toward the bottom wall 10 by removal of the contents of the container 2 through the tube 1 until the lower end portion 13 is adjacent the bottom wall for removal of the remainder of the contents. The float 8 supports the tube 1 as the contents of the container 2 are consumed.

FIG. 3 illustrates a modified drinking tube 15 and an alternate location of a modified positioning rod 16 received within an upper end portion 17 of the modified drinking tube 15. The modified drinking tube 15 is an elongate tubular member formed of nonsoluble material, such as nylon or plastic, such as polyethylene or the like, which has the upper end portion 17 thereof extending at an angle with the lid 4 of the beverage container 2. A lower portion 18 of the modified drinking tube 15 extends from the upper portion 17 at an angle therewith and has a lower end 19 in engagement with the peripheral side wall 9 and the bottom wall 10 at the intersection thereof, whereby the modified drinking tube has a length substantially greater than an interior diagonal dimension of the beverage container 2.

The positioning rod 16 is flexible and is mounted on a lower surface of the proximal end portion 11 of the tear-out strip 3 and extends at an angle therewith whereby the upper portion 17 extends from the tear-out strip3 toward the side wall 9 at one side of the container 2. The drinking tube 15 has a bend 20 therein whereby the lower portion 18 extends toward the intersection of the side wall 9 and bottom wall 10 at the other side of the container 2.

A float 21 is mounted on the tube 15 and may be integral therewith as by being an enlarged portion formed on the lower portion 18 of the modified drinking tube 15 by an suitable manner. However, it is preferable to form the float separate from the tube, therefore, the float 21 is a tubular member having a bore or passage therethrough to receive the lower portion 18 of the drinking tube 15 therein. It is preferable that the interior diameter of the bore or passage through the float 21 be equal to or just slightly less than the exterior diameter of the drinking tube 15 whereby the float 21 may be moved to a selected position on the lower portion 18 and the float 21 will be fitted snugly thereon.

The drinking tube 15 is substantially rigid and the positioning rod 16 is flexible whereby upon removal of the tear-out strip 3, the flexible rod 16 and the float 21 cooperate to urge the upper end portion 17 of the tube 15 upwardly and through the opening formed in the lid 4.

Consumption of the contents of a container having the modified drinking tube 15 therein and the modified positioning rod 16 mounted on the tear-out strip 3 is in a manner substantially similar to the method employed for the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 except that the float 21 preferably has an outer dimension which is smaller than the opening formed in the lid 4 by removal of the distal end 12 of the tear-out strip 3 whereby the drinking tube 15 may be removed from the container and the contents poured therefrom.

FIG. 4 illustrates a modified drinking tube 25 and a further modified positioning rod 26 wherein the positioning rod 26 is an elongate flexible member having one end secured to a lower surface of the tear-out strip 3 and the free end 27 thereof received within an upper end portion 28 of the modified drinking tube 25. A flange 29 is mounted on the flexible positioning rod 26 and is spaced from the free end 27 thereof for engaging the upper end of the modified drinking tube 25.

The fixed end of the positioning rod 26 is secured by a suitable fastening member 30 which also secures a tab or handle 31 to the tear-out strip 3 preferably adjacent the intersection of the outer or proximal end portion 11 and the distal end 12 of the tear-out strip 3. The fastening member 30 holds the fixed end of the positioning rod 26 in a position substantially parallel with and in engagement with the lower surface of the tearoutstrip 3.

When the free end 27 of the positioning rod 26 is mounted in the upper end portion 28 of the modified drinking tube 25, the rod 26 will assume an arcuate shape and the modified drinking tube 25 is enclosed within the beverage container and has bends 32 and 33 intermediate the ends thereof and a lower end 34 of the drinking tube 25 is in engagement with the bottom wall 10 below the distal end 12 of the tear-out strip 3 whereby the modified drinking tube 25 may have a length substantially greater than an interior diagonal dimension of the beverage container 2.

Consumption of the contents of a container having the modified tube 25 therein and the modified positioning rod 26 mounted on the tear-out strip 3 is in a manner substantially similar to the method employed for the structures shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive except that a float, similar to the float 8 or 21, is mounted on an intermediate portion of the tube 25 and preferably adjacent the bend 32 to guide the upper end portion 28 upwardly and outwardly through the opening 7 in the lid 4.

The positioning rod 26, as shown in FIG. 4, may be employed for straight drinking tubes formed of a plastic material having high memory characteristics. The drinking tubes would assume a generally S-shaped position within the container 2 as by having upper and lower arcuate portions on opposite sides of a float mounted thereon.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a modified drinking tube 35 having a modified positioning rod 36 received within an upper end 37 of the modified drinking tube 35 and a catch member 38 engaging and positioning a lower end 39 of the modified drinking tube 35 adjacent the peripheral side wall 9 and the bottom wall 10 at their intersection. A modified float 40 is mounted on an upper end portion 41 of the modified drinking tube 35.

in the illustrated structure, the modified positioning rod 36 has a fixed end portion 42 suitably secured to a lower surface of the tear-out strip 3, as by solder, nonsoluble cement, or the like. An arcuate portion 43 is connected to the fixed end portion 42 and a free end portion 44 extends from the arcuate portion 43. A flange 45 is mounted on the free end portion 44 adjacent the arcuate portion 43 whereby the free end portion 44 is received within the upper end portion 41 of the modified drinking tube 35 and the flange 45 engages the upper end thereof.

The catch member 38 is substantially U-shaped and is secured at the intersection of the peripheral side wall 9 and the bottom wall 10 directly below the distal end 12 of the tearout strip 3. One arm of the catch member 38 is suitably secured to a lower end 39 of the modified drinking tube 35 to hold the lower end 39 adjacent the bottom wall 10 and the peripheral side wall 9 of the beverage container 2.

The modified float 40 has a groove 46 in an exterior surface thereof and the groove 46 has upper and lower facing surfaces 47 and 48 positioned to frictionally engage upper and lower surfaces 49 and 50 respectively, of the lid 4 adjacent the opening 7 formed therein by removal of the tear-out strip 3 whereby the modified float 40 and the catch member 38 cooperate to hold the modified drinking tube 35 in a drinking position.

The modified positioning rod 36 urges the upper end portion 41 through the opening 7 formed by removing the tearoutstrip 3 and the modified float 40 has an exterior dimension smaller than the dimension of the distal end portion 12 whereby the catch member 38 holds the lower end 39 and positions the facing surfaces 47 and 48 of the groove 46 in position to engage the upper and lower surfaces 49 and 50 of the lid 4 when the modified drinking tube 35 is swung toward the portion of the lid 4 above the catch member 38.

FIG. 7 illustrates a modified tube positioner 55 to frictionally engage the lid 4 adjacent the opening 7 therein formed by removal of the tear-out strip 3. The tube positioner 55 may be integral with a drinking tube 56 as by being an enlarged portion thereof or the tube positoner 55 may be a separate member having an aperture or bore therethrough which has a diameter equal to or just slightly less than the exterior diameter of the tube 56 whereby the tube positioner may be moved to a selected position on the tube 56 and the tube positioner 55 will be snugly fitted thereon.

The tube positioner 55 has a size larger than the size of the opening 7, therefore, the tube positioner 55 is sufficiently flexible to be moved through yet has sufficient rigidity to firmly engage the lid 4 adjacent the opening 7 therein.

The drinking tube 56 has the lower end thereof held in position by a catch member, similar to the catch member 38, whereby the catch member and the tube positioner 55 cooperate to hold the drinking tube in position for use after the tear-out strip 3 has been removed.

The drinking tube 56 having the tube positioner 55 thereon may be used with the positioning rod 5, modified positioning rod 16, further modified positioning rod 26, or the modified positioning rod 36 tourge the upper end thereof through the opening 7 formed by removal of the tear-out strip 3.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described certain forms of my invention it is not to be limited to these specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, a beverage container and drinking tube and means to present the tube for use upon opening the container, the combination comprising:

a. an elongate tubular member enclosed within a beverage container having a removable portion in the lid thereof, said tubular member having a length at least equal to an interior diagonal dimension of the container;

b. a positioning member on the removable portion for engaging an upper end portion of said tubular member to guide same through an opening in the lid formed by removing said removable portion;

c. a catch member secured within the container for holding a lower end of said tubular member adjacent a bottom and side of the container;

d. a float member mounted on said tubular member for raising the upper end thereof through the opening in the lid formed byremoving said removable portion; and

e. means associated with said float member for frictionally engaging the lid of the container adjacent the opening formed therein by removal of said removable portion for holding said tubular member in a drinking position.

2. The container and drinking tube as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said positioning member is a rod mounted on and extending from a lower surface of the removable portion and received within the upper end of said tubular member;

b.- said float member has a groove in an exterior surface thereof; and

c. the groove has facing surfaces positioned to frictionally engage oppositesu'rfaces of the lid of the container adjacent the opening formed therein by removal of said removable portion whereby said tubular member is held in a drinking position.

3. The container and drinking tube as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

a. said rod is an elongate flexible member;

b. said tubular member is flexible and has a length greater than the interior diagonal dimension of the container; and

c. said tubular member has the upper and lower ends thereof held in substantially fixed locations and at least one bend therein intermediate the ends thereof.

4. A container and drinking tube with means to present the tube for use upon opening the container comprising:

a. a beverage container having a lid with a removable portion therein;

b. an elongated tubular member enclosed within said beverage container;

c. apositioning member on the removable portion of the lid and engageable with an upper end portion of said tubular member to guide same through an opening in the lid formed by removing the removable portion thereof, said positioning member including an elongated flexible rod having one end secured to a lower surface of the removable portion of the lid and the free end thereof received within the upper end portion of said tubular member and a flange mounted on said flexible rod and spaced from the free end thereof for engaging the upper end of said tubular member; and

d. a float member associated with said tubular member for raising the upper portion thereof through the opening in the lid.

5. A container and drinking tube with means to present the tube for use upon opening the container comprising:

a. a beverage container having a lid with a removable portiontherein; b. an elongated tubular member enclosed within said beverage container, said tubular member being flexible and having an upper end portion thereof extending substantially normal to the lid of the container;

c. a positioning member on the removable portion of the lid and engageable with the upper end portion of said tubular member to guide same through an opening in the lid formed by removing the removable portion thereof, said positioning member being a rod mounted on and extending substantially normal to a lower surface of the removable portion of the lid and received within the upper end of said tubular member; and

d. a float member associated with said tubular member for raising the upper portion thereof through the opening in the lid.

6. A container and drinking tube with means to present the tube for use upon opening the container comprising:

a. a beverage container having a lid with a removable portion therein;

b. an elongated tubular member enclosed within said beverage container;

c. a positioning member on the removable portion of the lid and engageable with an upper end portion of said tubular member to guide same through an opening in the lid formed by removing the removable portion thereof, said positioning member being a rod mounted on and extending from a lower surface of the removable portion of the lid and received within the upper end of said tubular member; and

d. a float member associated with said tubular member for raising the upper portion thereof through the opening in the lid, said-float member having a groove in an exterior surface thereof, the groove having facing surfaces positioned to frictionally engage opposite surfaces of the lid of the container adjacent the opening formed therein by removal of the removable portion of the lid for holding said tubular member in a drinking position.

7. A container and drinking tube with means to present the tube for use upon opening the container comprising:

a. a beverage container having a lid with a removable portion therein;

b. an elongated tubular member enclosed within said beverage container;

c. a positioning member on the removable portion of the lid and engageable with an upper end portion of said tubular member to guide same through an opening in the lid fonned by removing the removable portion thereof, said positioning member being a rod mounted on and extending from a lower surface of the removable portion of the lid and received within the upper end of said tubular member;

. a catch member secured within the container for holding a lower end of said tubular member adjacent a bottom and side of the container;

e. a float member associated with said tubular member for raising the upper portion thereof through the opening in the lid; and

. a tube positioner mounted on said tubular member and positioned to engage the lid of said container adjacent the opening therein formed by removing the removable portion thereof.

8. A container and drinking tube as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

a. said tubular member is flexible and has a length greater than the interior diagonal dimension of the container; and

b. said tubular member has upper and lower ends thereof held in substantially fixed locations and at least one bend therein intermediate the ends thereof. 

1. In combination, a beverage container and drinking tube and means to present the tube for use upon opening the container, the combination comprising: a. an elongate tubular member enclosed within a beverage container having a removable portion in the lid thereof, said tubular member having a length at least equal to an interior diagonal dimension of the container; b. a positioning member on the removable portion for engaging an upper end portion of said tubular member to guide same through an opening in the lid formed by removing said removable portion; c. a catch member secured within the container for holding a lower end of said tubular member adjacent a bottom and side of the container; d. a float member mounted on said tubular member for raising the upper end thereof through the opening in the lid formed by removing said removable portion; and e. means associated with said float member for frictionally engaging the lid of the container adjacent the opening formed therein by removal of said removable portIon for holding said tubular member in a drinking position.
 2. The container and drinking tube as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. said positioning member is a rod mounted on and extending from a lower surface of the removable portion and received within the upper end of said tubular member; b. said float member has a groove in an exterior surface thereof; and c. the groove has facing surfaces positioned to frictionally engage opposite surfaces of the lid of the container adjacent the opening formed therein by removal of said removable portion whereby said tubular member is held in a drinking position.
 3. The container and drinking tube as set forth in claim 2 wherein: a. said rod is an elongate flexible member; b. said tubular member is flexible and has a length greater than the interior diagonal dimension of the container; and c. said tubular member has the upper and lower ends thereof held in substantially fixed locations and at least one bend therein intermediate the ends thereof.
 4. A container and drinking tube with means to present the tube for use upon opening the container comprising: a. a beverage container having a lid with a removable portion therein; b. an elongated tubular member enclosed within said beverage container; c. a positioning member on the removable portion of the lid and engageable with an upper end portion of said tubular member to guide same through an opening in the lid formed by removing the removable portion thereof, said positioning member including an elongated flexible rod having one end secured to a lower surface of the removable portion of the lid and the free end thereof received within the upper end portion of said tubular member and a flange mounted on said flexible rod and spaced from the free end thereof for engaging the upper end of said tubular member; and d. a float member associated with said tubular member for raising the upper portion thereof through the opening in the lid.
 5. A container and drinking tube with means to present the tube for use upon opening the container comprising: a. a beverage container having a lid with a removable portion therein; b. an elongated tubular member enclosed within said beverage container, said tubular member being flexible and having an upper end portion thereof extending substantially normal to the lid of the container; c. a positioning member on the removable portion of the lid and engageable with the upper end portion of said tubular member to guide same through an opening in the lid formed by removing the removable portion thereof, said positioning member being a rod mounted on and extending substantially normal to a lower surface of the removable portion of the lid and received within the upper end of said tubular member; and d. a float member associated with said tubular member for raising the upper portion thereof through the opening in the lid.
 6. A container and drinking tube with means to present the tube for use upon opening the container comprising: a. a beverage container having a lid with a removable portion therein; b. an elongated tubular member enclosed within said beverage container; c. a positioning member on the removable portion of the lid and engageable with an upper end portion of said tubular member to guide same through an opening in the lid formed by removing the removable portion thereof, said positioning member being a rod mounted on and extending from a lower surface of the removable portion of the lid and received within the upper end of said tubular member; and d. a float member associated with said tubular member for raising the upper portion thereof through the opening in the lid, said float member having a groove in an exterior surface thereof, the groove having facing surfaces positioned to frictionally engage opposite surfaces of the lid of the container adjacent the opening formed therein by removal of the removable portion of the lid for holding sAid tubular member in a drinking position.
 7. A container and drinking tube with means to present the tube for use upon opening the container comprising: a. a beverage container having a lid with a removable portion therein; b. an elongated tubular member enclosed within said beverage container; c. a positioning member on the removable portion of the lid and engageable with an upper end portion of said tubular member to guide same through an opening in the lid formed by removing the removable portion thereof, said positioning member being a rod mounted on and extending from a lower surface of the removable portion of the lid and received within the upper end of said tubular member; d. a catch member secured within the container for holding a lower end of said tubular member adjacent a bottom and side of the container; e. a float member associated with said tubular member for raising the upper portion thereof through the opening in the lid; and f. a tube positioner mounted on said tubular member and positioned to engage the lid of said container adjacent the opening therein formed by removing the removable portion thereof.
 8. A container and drinking tube as set forth in claim 7 wherein: a. said tubular member is flexible and has a length greater than the interior diagonal dimension of the container; and b. said tubular member has upper and lower ends thereof held in substantially fixed locations and at least one bend therein intermediate the ends thereof. 